Chang’e: Chinese Goddess Of Moon And Immortality
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Many ancient cultures had their gods and goddesses related to the Moon. Egyptian lunar deity Khonsu (the 'wanderer' or "he who comes and goes") often wore a headdress consisting of a crescent moon, topped by a full moon, and took over many of Thoth's attributes but also assisted him in reckoning time.
Chang'e ascending to the moon (illustration by E.T.C. Werner (Myths and Legends of China) 1922.
In Greek beliefs, Selene is the personification of the Moon. She was depicted with wings, a torch, and a crescent on her head. According to the Greeks, she roamed the night sky in a shining, silver chariot drawn by white horses.
The Chinese had several lunar deities; among them was Chang'e, an immortal living on the Moon.
The Chinese goddess of the Moon - Chang'e (or Ch'ang O), which means 'the Lunar Toad', is the subject of many Chinese myths that date back to the Tang Dynasty (AD. 618 – 906).
She was the wife of the Yi ('Excellent Archer'), the mythical hero capable of shooting down nine suns with his arrow. One day, for his impressive achievements, Yi received the herb of immortality from the goddess Xiwangmu, the highest goddess and patron of fairies and wizards.
However, during her husband's absence, Chang'e stole and consumed the immortality and life-restoring herb. As a result, her body became very light, and she floated upward to the Moon. She is therefore regarded as the mother of the Moon or possibly its goddess.
In Chinese folklore, the goddess Chang'e is often accompanied by a rabbit who lives on the Moon. There, he makes the elixir of life for her.
More Myths And Legends
This story has several mythological accounts because each Chinese province has its own version.
One, for example, says that when the archer Yi went out hunting, his pupil Feng Meng approached his house and forced Chang'e to give him the elixir of immortality. During the quarrel with Feng Meng, Chang'e unintentionally drank the potion and flew to the Moon.
Chinese Lunar Goddess – Chang´e, ascending to the Moon. Image credit: The Trustees of the British Museum
Another version is that Chang'e was punished by the Queen Mother of the West, Xiwangmu, and changed into the Three-Legged Frog (Chanchu) and banished to the Moon.
One legend says that Chang'e was a beautiful girl who worked in Emperor Jade's palace in Heaven. Once, Chang'e accidentally damaged a precious porcelain jar. Irritated, the Jade Emperor exiled her to live on earth, where she became a wealthy family member. When she was 18 years old, a young, intelligent Houyi (Yi) from the neighboring village saw her, and they quickly became friends.
Strange Phenomenon In The Sky
A few days later, a strange phenomenon occurred in the sky. Instead of one Sun, as many as ten appeared, and their heat began to devastate the earth.
Yi decided to save the planet from the apocalypse and shot down nine of the ten suns. He succeeded, and his deeds made him a famous folk hero, a king, and finally, a husband of the beautiful Chang'e.
Unfortunately, the new king changed much over time. Greedy and selfish, he wanted to find a way to extend his life and eternal glory. He sought immortality and eventually brought the elixir of immortality to his palace. Still, he had no chance to taste it because Chang'e deliberately (or by mistake, as some claim) swallowed it.
It made the king so furious that he wanted to kill his wife. Trying to run away from him, Chang'e, jumped out of the window. Instead of falling, she ascended to the Moon.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Updated on November 8, 2022
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Surprising Connection Between Norse God Odin And Attila The Hun Revealed
Featured Stories | Dec 8, 2020
-
Unexplained Mysteries Of The Superstition Mountains – A Gateway To Other Worlds?
Featured Stories | Dec 15, 2020
-
‘Joyeuse’ – Legendary Sword With Relics Of Saints Was A Private Treasure Of Emperor Charlemagne
Artifacts | Dec 24, 2021
-
Unique 2700-Year-Old Papyrus With Inscription In Paleo-Hebrew Acquired By Israel From U.S
Archaeology | Sep 7, 2022
-
The Face Of The Amarakarei – Remarkable Enormous Face Caved Into Stone Cliffs In Peru
Civilizations | Nov 20, 2015
-
Ancient Ruins Of Nero’s Theater Discovered Under Garden Near Vatican
Archaeology | Jul 27, 2023
-
Babylonians And Sumerians Had Advanced Knowledge Of Astronomy
Civilizations | Feb 28, 2017
-
Mangup-Kale: Spectacular Ancient Cave City Hidden In The Crimean Mountains And Home To The Mysterious Kingdom Of Feodoro
Civilizations | Aug 4, 2015
-
World’s Oldest Shipwreck Discovered In Mediterranean
Archaeology | Apr 10, 2019
-
Skaftö Wreck’s Cargo Gives New Answers About 15th Century Trade Routes
Archaeology | Oct 25, 2022
-
Jiangshi – Terrifying Vicious Ancient Chinese Vampire In Disguise
Chinese Mythology | Jun 11, 2020
-
Looted ‘Pietas Domini’ Gothic Altar Dated To 1435 AD Returns From Germany To Poland
Archaeology | Mar 22, 2020
-
Ancient Secret Tunnel Discovered Beneath The Pyramid Of The Moon In Mexico’s Teotihuacan
Archaeology | Jul 8, 2017
-
Lost Biblical City, Ancient Treasure And Atlantis – Biblical And Archaeological Perspective
Biblical Mysteries | Apr 27, 2018
-
Tāne: Lord Of The Forest Who Brought Three Baskets Of Knowledge To People In Maori Mythology
Featured Stories | Dec 9, 2023
-
Fossils In The ‘Cradle Of Humankind’ May Be More Than A Million Years Older Than Previously Thought
Archaeology | Jun 28, 2022
-
Falerii Novi – Huge Ancient Underground Roman City Reveals Its Secrets
Featured Stories | Jun 8, 2022
-
Yama – Hindu God Who Rules Over The Dead And Souls And Guards Akashic Records
Featured Stories | Sep 17, 2018
-
Puzzling Ancient Artifacts Of Unknown Origin And Purpose
Artifacts | Mar 10, 2014
-
What Happened To The Pythagorean Brotherhood?
Ancient History Facts | Apr 5, 2021